Doornkloof, Northern Gauteng
It is interesting, when you start tracing its roots, to realise that this part of northern Johannesburg, known as Centurion, has its heritage steeped in history despite being modern.
Lying between Pretoria and Midrand it once had not only its own town council and municipality but was also distinguishable as a separate entity from the two major cities.
Today Centurion, of which Doornkloof is part, seamlessly forms a bridge between Pretoria and Midrand. Lying at the intersection of the N1 and N14 highways all of this activity used to be three large farms, settled in 1841 – Zwartkop, Doornkloof and Brakfontein.
Doornkloof derives its name directly from these farms, as do the suburbs Erasmia, Elardus Park and Zwartkop. In 1889 Alois Hugo Nelmapius was to buy the northern and north-eastern parts of Doornkloof Farm and name it after his daughter, Irene, who died only in 1961 – alive to witness a further suburb named after her.
Doornkloof lies just south of Irene. In 1962 it combined with Irene and Lyttelton to form a city council known as Lyttelton, renamed Verwoerdburg in 1967 and changed to a more politically neutral Centurion in 1995.
A stay here is convenient for its access to OR Tambo International Airport, Pretoria and Johannesburg. Centurion and Midrand are regarded as business hubs in their own right and with the traffic congestion of Johannesburg as notorious as it is, a stay in Doornkloof is logical if business is your intention.
Even if it isn't, Irene and Doornkloof still remain slightly rural, despite the rapid growth of the area from sleepy smallholdings to thriving suburban residential areas. Pay a visit to Irene's Country Farm, where you can buy fresh milk, cheese and cream as well as sit down to a welcome tea, and you'll get the picture.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Minara Private Boutique Game Lodge
Minara Private Boutique Game Lodge is located in the malaria-free Dinokeng area, neighbouring the Big 5 Dinokeng Game Reserve, just an hour drive...
13 On Wynne
13 On Wynne is located in Centurion and offers accommodation for seven guests in two units. Situated just 230m from the Matsport Arena, 3km from ...
Oxbow Country Estate
Oxbow Country Estate is a highly sought-after trout fly fishing haven. Oxbow Country Estate, set in the foothills of the Magaliesberg range, near...
Monacco Guest House
Monacco Guest House is situated near the centre of Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng. The guest house offers Northern Gauteng accommodation that is conve...
Siyaya Homestead
Siyaya Homestead is located on the malaria free Pride of African Nature Reserve within the Dinokeng Game Reserve. At Siyaya Bush Lodge you can en...
Candlewoods Guest House
Candlewoods Guest House is nestled in the heart of a rich heritage site in Candlewoods Country Estate, Centurion. It is a Victorian style buildin...
Nyani Lodge
Nyani Lodge offers accommodation in De Wagensdrift on the eastern side of the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve, within the Nyani Bavaria. At night you...
InnJoy Boutique Hotel
Designed and graded as an exclusive 4 Star Boutique Hotel, Innjoy is conveniently situated in Centurion, within close proximity of the industrial...
Clubview Guest House
Clubview Guest House is situated in the quiet suburb of Clubview-East in Centurion. Clubview Guest House is an accredited bed & breakfast and sel...
Noteworthy attractions
Blue Valley Golf Estate
Named for the blue skies and open country of its surroundings, the Gary Player designed Blue Valley is a perfect blend of hospitality, sport and ...
Centurion Country Club
Centurion Golf Course is an excellent Golfing Estate with a very challenging golf course designed by Peter Matkovich. Two different nines, where ...
Zwartkop Country Club
The Zwartkop Country Club is situated on what was originally the farm Zwartkop named after the bird found nesting on the farm. It has long been a...
Leeuwkloof Valley Conservancy
The Leeuwkloof Valley Conservancy, a 400 hectare game reserve, is situated 1 hour from Johannesburg and 30 minutes from Pretoria. In the heart of...
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is one of the world's largest urban nature reserves, 3 800 hectares in extent, situated south of the city but still w...
Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve
The Roodeplaat dam was constructed in 1956 and was initially called the 'Pienaars Rivier Dam'. The Dam supplied the surrounding landowners with i...
Cullinan Diamond Mine
Just twenty minutes’ drive from Pretoria brings one to the quaint little town of Cullinan that time appears to have little affected. The Cullinan...
Tswaing Meteorite Crater Museum
One of only four meteorite crater museums in the world (the others are in the US, Germany and France) the Tswaing Crater and its museum lie rough...
Rust De Winter Nature Reserve
The pretty Rust de Winter Nature Reserve lies north east of Hammanskraal and close enough to the N1 and Pretoria to make a weekend of it. Places ...
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